Meals on Wheels feeds the soul

Having a caring and smiling face that shows up consistently is one of the perks for those that receive care from the Meals on Wheels program in Davidson County and Lexington. Also having a warm and nutritious meal delivered makes such a difference in the lives of all touched by Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels has been around since 1954, when a small group of Philadelphia citizens made the first known delivery in the United States. The program's goal is to help seniors maintain their health and independence as they age by providing meals and human contact. Today, Meals on Wheels is a large social movement that helps almost 2.2 million seniors each year in almost every community in the country.

Meals on Wheels provides local services that allow seniors to continue living well nourished, independent and safe lives in their own homes here in Davidson County.

Eligibility Requirements:

• 60 years of age or older

• Live within the rural serving area

• Unable to prepare or obtain a complete nutritious meals

Other Details:

• Senior Services does not charge for services provided.

• Services are primarily funded by state and federal grants and community donations.

• Participants of the program are encouraged to make monthly contributions if they are able.

• Inability to contribute does not affect your service.

• Twenty-three meal routes run throughout the county to ensure that older adults who need meals are served.

• Each route serves approximately 12 clients. Clients are selected based on need and availability.

Current Davidson County Meal Routes:

• Central                                

• Pilgrim

• Lexington

• Churchland                         

• Pilot (2 routes)

• Cotton Grove               

• Reeds

• Denton (2 routes)             

• Reedy Creek (2 routes)

• Fairgrove                           

• Silver Valley

• Hasty                               

• Southmont

• Holly Grove               

• Tryo

• Noahtown                         

• Wallburg (2 routes)

• North Davidson (2 routes) 

• West Lexington

Meals on Wheels for Pets

Meals on Wheels Loves Pets provides pet food and supplies to eligible companion pets of Meals on Wheels clients in need. Keeping pets and their seniors together is just one of the ways Meals on Wheels is helping our aging neighbors feel less alone.

{Image: Public Use} Meals on Wheels delivers more than just hot and nutritious meals to those in need.

{Davidson Local would like to share a letter received from Ray Nance Howell highlighting the benefits and mission of Meals on Wheels of Lexington.}

Meals on Wheels of Lexington Continues to Deliver

How much do you know about Meals on Wheels of Lexington?  Did you know that a vision for the local program was born from a women’s Sunday School class in First Baptist Church of Lexington?  Did you know that out of that vision, a nonprofit was officially begun in 1972 to make sure people in need of the program got a hot meal delivered to them and someone would stop in and check on them?  The venture was originally an ecumenical partnership between seven churches responsible for routes and the host church of First Reformed United Church of Christ.

I could go on and on about Meals on Wheels of Lexington because I am an enthusiastic volunteer, meal deliverer and helper of the program.  I have done research into the history of the agency and am a true believer in what Meals on Wheels does and I am not alone.  The purpose of the program is to provide a daily mail to those who are elderly and/or shut in.  The program serves residents within the city limits of Lexington. There are similar programs that serve county residents and residents in Thomasville, but I proudly want to tell you about Meals on Wheels of Lexington.

I visited with several volunteers and Jamie Holman, who is the one paid employee of the nonprofit. Jamie arrives in the morning around 7 a.m. to prepare over one hundred meals every single weekday.  I stated to her that, I know you aren’t doing it for the money, so let me ask you, why? Why do you show up every morning and why are you here cooking day after day? She simply said, “I like to help people and everyone deserves a meal.” I also talked to Joanna Deaton and Bleusha Carroll, both volunteers for First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lexington. They shared with me that both of their parents were volunteers early in the local program’s history.

 What speaks to the impact that the program makes on its volunteers is that they are not the only multi-generational volunteers with the program.  Both Deaton and Carroll agree that there is a huge need and that the people who receive the meals are always so appreciative and gracious. I know the feeling firsthand and I truly enjoy both volunteering and delivering meals to people. It makes me feel like I’m making a difference and I can tell that I am not the only one.  

There always seems to be a balance when speaking to volunteers of the program between the good they are doing and the good that they are receiving. Jim Honeycutt, who is the route coordinator for First Baptist Lexington, said, “The clients who receive meals have become our friends and we care about them personally.  We have known some for many years, at times our volunteers have helped with medical emergencies.  Other times we may be the only outside person a client sees that day.  I think I speak for all of the First Baptist Church team when I say that time spent delivering Meals on Wheels is an investment in making ‘thy kingdom come’ here in our community.” 

 Those that give to the program their money or time learn quickly that they receive just as much as they put in, said Bob Husted, President of the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels of Lexington. He has been helping the agency since the early 2000’s and remarked, “I volunteer for the same reason we all do. That reason is to make our community a better place.” That sentiment was echoed by Anita Roland, a volunteer on the route for Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, who said of volunteering. “It’s living out the present form of the Golden Rule.  You get to know you helped someone and they get a meal.  It’s just blessings all around for everyone.”  

My full-time job is with Cancer Services of Davidson County, but I really do enjoy taking the time to help Meals on Wheels of Lexington.  It is amazing to me that when I volunteer, I see a lot of people there who help other agencies as well.  For instance, I ran into Nina Smith, who works for the Life Center of Davidson County helping older adults, picking up meals.  She has been volunteering since 2013 and shared, “I enjoy giving back, in fact, I am pleased to be able to do it.”  You would be too.  The program is always looking for more volunteers, so if you would like to volunteer, contact Bob Hustad and leave a message at 336-248-8010.  If you would like to mail in a donation then please mail it to P.O. Box 1697, Lexington, N.C. 27293.      

A special worship service celebrating the history of Meals on Wheels of Lexington and the 52 years it has served our town was held this past June 30th at First Reformed United Church of Christ that celebrated this amazing outreach program.  Jeanne Wall wrote on the 25th anniversary of the agency back in 1997, “Hundreds of people have received bodily and spiritual nourishment through this endeavor.  Without the meals no doubt some people would have gone hungry, perhaps even have become seriously ill. Others might have been forced to leave their homes and suffer much sadness.” 

How appropriate that even 27 years after those words were first penned, Meals on Wheels of Lexington continues to deliver. 

To find out if you or someone you know qualifies for Meals on Wheels in Davidson County, you may also call 336.242.2290.